Besson euphonium? Saxhorn? C. 1910

[BopEuph]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304831927425?h ... R87D8pbaYQ

[donn]

As far as I know there isn't a clear distinction between various forms that the ca. 9 foot conical brass can take. The way I see it, it's a bass saxhorn. A matter of taper, or at least proportion of the bell to the rest of the conical bore. To me, the euphonium shape puts a larger bell on the same size or smaller body (can't say it's smaller for sure because the euphonium first bow usually appears to be a little farther from the bell end.) The compact wrap with the 2nd bow under rather than over the piston stems is a common style difference.

[Finetales]

It does appear to be a bass saxhorn. They're all just local flavors of tenor tuba though.

Euphonium = British tenor tuba
Bass saxhorn = French tenor tuba
Kaiserbariton = German tenor tuba

I have a 4-valve bass saxhorn in C and a 4-valve compensating euphonium. Play them back to back and it's easy to tell how they're essentially the same kind of instrument, just interpreted by different people. To me, the bass saxhorn has a leaner sound that gets more horn-like when pushed, and this is consistent with all the other bass saxhorns and euphoniums I've tried. My British-style baritone horn or flugabone is much further removed, but either of those will still blend well with any kind of tenor tuba.

[iiipopes]

I wonder what the bore is? If it is a smaller bore, the overall look of the instrument to me leans towards the American hybrid instrument that was the staple of American concert bands for over a century.

[BopEuph]

Euphonium = British tenor tuba
Bass saxhorn = French tenor tuba
Kaiserbariton = German tenor tuba

I love this way of laying it out. Though, I wonder if a French C tuba would be similar--isn't its fundamental a whole step higher than a Bb euph?

[iiipopes]

Euphonium = British tenor tuba
Bass saxhorn = French tenor tuba
Kaiserbariton = German tenor tuba

I love this way of laying it out. Though, I wonder if a French C tuba would be similar--isn't its fundamental a whole step higher than a Bb euph?

The French C tuba generally has a larger bore than a euph, and the older ones, whether 5- or 6-valve, can have a rather, um, interesting, valve and fingering setup.

[Finetales]

Euphonium = British tenor tuba
Bass saxhorn = French tenor tuba
Kaiserbariton = German tenor tuba

I love this way of laying it out. Though, I wonder if a French C tuba would be similar--isn't its fundamental a whole step higher than a Bb euph?

As far as I know, the French tuba is just an extra-large bass saxhorn with a bunch of valves (the last being a perfect 5th). Normal bass saxhorns were also made in C in addition to Bb (mine is in C!), and there are C euphoniums out there as well. Besson even made a modern compensating one once! There are C Kaiser baritones too, Miraphone still makes one (model 56A).